Thomas Alan Gray

Topic Editor - RV Recreation
Photography by M. D. Gray, Las Vegas NV - Life is too short to waste in boredom.
Photography by M. D. Gray, Las Vegas NV - Life is too short to waste in boredom.

Biography

As a part-time freelance writer, Tom has over 150 published print items (including several in national magazines) and has over 300 articles online at Suite101.

Professional:

  • Bachelor of Science (Honors), University of Alberta, way back when. Major in Psych, minor in French
  • Bachelor of Education, University of Calgary, not quite so far back, majors in Science and Math
  • Advanced Toastmaster certificate
  • Member, The Writers Guild of Alberta

Topic Editor, RV Recreation

Tom's been camping since he was a child, and spent 25 years as a leader, trainer, and Assistant District Commissioner with Scouts Canada, so he's fairly comfortable outdoors. His RVing experience is outlined on the RV Recreation page.

Invited in his first year English class to major in English, Tom declined and continued with the sciences. After returning for a degree in education, he took a correspondence course in non-fiction writing and sold most of the lesson assignments. Later, Tom found that one of the joys of teaching was guiding young writers and encouraging them to submit their work for publication (in many cases, successfully). Later still, working in Communications, he wrote and/or edited annual reports,corporate memos, media releases, sales brochures, training manuals, product manuals, grant applications, award nominations, and more.

Selected Editor's Choice Articles on Suite101:

Non-Fiction:

  • Winter Spa "Chez Vous", Canadian Winter Magazine, 2008, p. 52-54.
  • What's That? The Promenader, Feb-Mar 2008, p. 47
  • Endorsements are Good for Business, SpaRetailer Magazine, Spring 2008, p. 24
  • A Tub for All Seasons, Pools, Spas, & Patios, 2008-07-01, p. 90ff
  • Back Yard Resorts, Renovations Home Improvement & Design, Jul-Aug 2008, V6 N4, p. 10ff (cover story)
  • Home Renovation Software, Renovations Home Improvement & Design, Sept-Oct 2008, V6 N5, p. 24ff

Book Reviews

Fiction:

  • Finalist in the Polar Expressions Short Fiction Contest, 2008
    • Gray, Thomas Alan. "One Day Winner." Frontier. Ed. Rachelle McCallum. Maple Ridge, BC: Polar Expressions Publishing, 2008. Print.
  • Finalist in the Polar Expressions Short fiction Contest, 2009
    • Gray, Thomas Alan. "Friendly Seas." Below the Canopy. Ed. Rachelle McCallum. Maple Ridge, BC: Polar Expressions Publishing, 2009. Print.
  • "Fair Trade", Golden Visions Magazine. April 2010. PDF.
  • Finalist in the Polar Expressions Short fiction Contest, 2011
    • Gray, Thomas Alan. "A Good, Good Day." Inkspots. Ed. Rachelle McCallum. Maple Ridge, BC: Polar Expressions Publishing, 2011. Print.

Career History

After four years as a psychologist for the Alberta Department of Mental Health, Tom switched careers to teaching. Fifteen years in the classroom—plus a Hilroy Fellowship and an ATA Science Award—were followed by another shift. This was to a decade of sales: first life insurance and mutual funds and, later, yellow pages advertising and headstones.

After that, as Communications Officer for Blue Falls Manufacturing, makers of Arctic Spas, Tom was writing full-time. He wrote/edited three corporate newsletters, drafted award applications, edited and tracked external memos, and wrote or edited copy for ads, brochures, and manuals. Seconded to the IT department, he wrote software documentation and user training materials (see for example Wiki for Project ERP. The company canceled the project before it was completed, so the Wiki is incomplete; Tom took early retirement.)

Motto: Life is to short to be wasted in boredom.

Latest Articles

 		Sponsorship for Non-Profits: Identify Assets and Benefits
Sponsorship is an exchange: in return for financial support, the sponsored group gives something back. Identify what you have to offer your sponsors.
Jan 20, 2012 - Thomas Alan Gray
Best Winter Driving Routes, Alberta to Palm Springs California
Snowbirds - RVers who travel south for the winter - from Alberta have a choice of several routes. What are they, and what are the pros and cons of each?
Dec 30, 2011 - Thomas Alan Gray
Sponsorship for Non-Profits: Available Opportunities
NPOs seeking sponsorship need to know exactly what they have to to offer as vehicles or "properties" for marketing sponsor names/brands.
Nov 7, 2011 - Thomas Alan Gray
Sponsorships for Non-Profits: Identify the Cause
A plan for helping NPOs, clubs, and volunteer organizations get the sponsorships they need to offer top-quality programs. Start by identifying your needs.
Nov 7, 2011 - Thomas Alan Gray
Are Chinese Tires for RVs Safe Now?
"Rolling time bombs" is how people thought of Chinese-made tires in 2007 following a rash of tread separations. Are they safer now? Apparently, yes.
Aug 22, 2011 - Thomas Alan Gray
Slides Available on Lightweight Travel Trailers by Lance
The lineup of lightweight travel trailers from Lance Campers includes four with slides, each under 5000 lbs dry. One ultralight, the 1685, is under 3500!
Jul 29, 2011 - Thomas Alan Gray
Repairing Bunk Latch Handles on a Hybrid Trailer
Earlier low- to mid-end hybrid trailers (Jayco, Aerolite, Cub) use a T-handle latch to retain the bunk ends. Here's a fix for when the wood support weakens.
Jul 27, 2011 - Thomas Alan Gray
Lundbreck Falls Provincial Recreational Area, Alberta, Canada
Lundbreck Falls on the Crowsnest River in southern Alberta is a beautiful spot for RVing, tenting, and fishing. Scenic riverside RV sites are a major draw.
Jul 15, 2011 - Thomas Alan Gray
Hiking Trails at Buckskin Mountain State Park, Arizona
Buckskin Mountain State Park has a must-take set of short, well-groomed trails for pleasant, fairly easy hiking with gorgeous views of the Colorado River.
Jun 20, 2011 - Thomas Alan Gray
RVing at Buckskin Mountain State Park in Arizona
Buckskin Mountain, a "pocket park" jewel tucked into a bend of the Colorado River, is well worth a visit for water activities, hiking, and family fun.
Jun 17, 2011 - Thomas Alan Gray